Pesticidal benzodioxole

ABSTRACT

Compounds of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R 1  and R 2  each independently represents a halogen atom or an alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkenoxy, cyano or nitro group; R 3  and R 4  each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; R 5  represents a hydrogen atom, or an alkyl, alkoxy or alkoxycarbonylalkyl group; X and Y each independently represents an oxygen or sulphur atom or a group N--R, in which R is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; n is 0-3; r is 0 or 1; m is 0-4; and A or B represents a group of the general formula: ##STR2## wherein R 6  represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, or an alkyl group; and R 7  represents a halogen atom or an alkyl group; the other of A and B being a hydrogen atom or as for R 1  or R 2 , have useful pesticidal activity.

This is a division of copending application Ser. No. 07/727,051 filed on Jul. 9, 1991 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,212,171.

The present invention relates to heterocyclic compounds having pesticidal, especially insecticidal and acaricidal, activity.

The Applicants have discovered a novel class of heterocyclic compounds which have both insecticidal and acaricidal activity.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a compound of the general formula: ##STR3## wherein R₁ and R₂ each independently represents a halogen atom or an alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkenoxy, cyano or nitro group; R₃ and R₄ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; R₅ represents a hydrogen atom, or an alkyl, alkoxy or alkoxycarbonylalkyl group; X and Y each independently represents an oxygen or sulphur atom or a group N--R, in which R is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; n is 0-3; r is 0 or 1; m is 0-4; and A or B represents a group of the general formula: ##STR4## wherein R₆ represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, or an alkyl group; and R₇ represents a halogen atom or an alkyl group; the other of A and B being a hydrogen atom or as for R₁ or R₂.

When n is greater than 1, each R₁ may be the same or different, and when m is greater than 1, each R₂ may be the same or different.

Preferably, any alkenoxy group, any alkyl group or any alkyl component in any alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy or alkoxycarbonyl group has up to 6 carbon atoms.

It is particularly preferred that either (1) R₂ represents a halogen atom, or an alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy or alkenoxy group; R₃ and R₄ each represents a hydrogen atom; X and Y each independently represents an oxygen or sulphur atom; n is 0; r is 0 or 1; m is 0-2; A represents a group of the general formula II in which R₆ and R₇ each represents a halogen atom; and B represents a hydrogen or halogen atom or an alkyl, haloalkyl or haloalkoxy group, or (2) R₃, R₄ and R₅ each represents a hydrogen atom; X and Y each represents an oxygen atom; n is 0; r is 1; m is 0; B represents a group of the general formula II in which R₆ and R₇ each represents a halogen atom; and A represents a halogen atom or an alkyl group.

In case (1), preferably R₂ represents a fluorine, chlorine or bromine atom, or a methyl, trifluoromethyl or methoxy group; R₆ and R₇ each represents a fluorine atom; and B represents a hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine atom or a methyl, trifluoromethyl or trifluoromethoxy group.

In case (2), preferably R₆ and R₇ each represents a fluorine atom; and A represents a chlorine or bromine atom, or a methyl group.

In accordance with the present invention there is also provided a process for the preparation of a compound of general formula I which comprises hydrogenating a compound of the general formula: ##STR5## to form a compound of the general formula: ##STR6## which is reacted with a compound of the general formula: ##STR7## to form a compound of the general formula I, wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇, X, Y, n, r and m have the meanings given above; one of R₈ and R₉ represents a nitro group whilst the other represents a hydrogen or halogen atom or an alkyl, haloalkyl or haloalkoxy group; and one of R₁₀ and R₁₁ represents an amino group whilst the other represents a hydrogen or halogen atom or an alkyl, haloalkyl or haloalkoxy group.

The hydrogenation of the compound of general formula III is preferably carried out in the presence of a catalyst. Suitable catalysts are platinum or palladium catalysts, particularly a 5% platinum/charcoal catalyst.

The hydrogenation reaction may be carried out in the presence of a solvent or mixture of solvents. Suitable solvents are preferably ethers such as tetrahydrofuran, alcohols such as methanol and ethanol, and hydrocarbons such as toluene. Furthermore, a suitable base may be added as required. Suitable bases are alkali metal carbonates such as anhydrous potassium carbonate.

The reaction is suitably carried out at a temperature in the range 0°-150° C., preferably ambient temperature, and at a pressure of 60 psi or below.

The reaction between compounds of general formulae IV and V is preferably carried out in the presence of a solvent. Suitable solvents are aromatic solvents such as benzene, toluene, xylene or chlorobenzene, hydrocarbons such as petroleum fractions, chlorinated hydrocarbons such as chloroform, methylene chloride or dichloroethane, and ethers such as diethyl ether, dibutyl ether, dioxan and tetrahydrofuran. Mixtures of solvents are also suitable.

Preferably the reaction is carried out at a temperature in the range 0°-110° C., suitably ambient temperature.

Further purification of the product may be achieved by crystallisation from toluene or ethanol, where necessary.

Some compounds of general formula III are themselves novel and constitute a further aspect of the present invention. They may be prepared by reacting a compound of the general formula: ##STR8## with a compound of the general formula: ##STR9## wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, X, Y, n, r and m have the meanings given above; Z represents a group --COR₁₄ in which R₁₄ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl or alkoxycarbonylalkyl group, or represents a group C(alkoxy)₃ ; and R₁₂ and R₁₃ each independently represents a hydrogen or halogen atom or an alkyl, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy or nitro group, with the proviso that no more than one of R₁₂ and R₁₃ can be a nitro group in any reaction and the proviso that when R₃ and R₄ each represents a hydrogen atom, R₁₂ represents a nitro group, X represents a sulphur atom, Y represents an oxygen atom, n is 0, r is 1 and m is 0, R₁₃ cannot be a hydrogen atom, and that when neither of R₁₂ and R₁₃ is a nitro group, the compound formed is further reacted with nitric acid.

The reaction between compounds of general formulae VI and VII is preferably carried out in the presence of an acid catalyst, which may be any suitable inorganic or organic acid. Suitable acids include sulphonic acids, for example toluene sulphonic acid, carboxylic acids, for example benzoic acid, and mineral acids, for example hydrochloric acid.

The reaction is suitably carried out at a temperature in the range 50°-200° C., particularly 75°-110° C.

The reaction may also be carried out in the presence of a solvent. Suitable solvents include any organic aprotic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, benzene, hydrocarbons such as toluene, halogenated hydrocarbons, and ethers. Mixed solvents may also be used, such as, for example, toluene with dimethylsulphoxide.

Furthermore, the reaction is suitably carried out under nitrogen, especially when X and/or Y is a sulphur atom.

In the case of further reaction with nitric acid, the temperature of said further reaction is suitably 15°-20° C.

Compounds of general formula I exhibit pesticidal, particularly insecticidal and/or acaricidal, activity. Accordingly the invention also provides a pesticidal composition comprising a compound of general formula I in association with at least one inert carrier therefor. The invention further provides a method of combating pests at a locus, which comprises applying to the locus a pesticidal compound or composition according to the present invention.

A carrier in a composition according to the invention is any material with which the active ingredient is formulated to facilitate application to the locus to be treated, which may for example be a plant, seed or soil, or to facilitate storage, transport or handling. A carrier may be a solid or a liquid, including a material which is normally gaseous but which has been compressed to form a liquid, and any of the carriers normally used in formulating pesticidal compositions may be used. Preferably compositions according to the invention contain 0.5 to 95% by weight of active ingredient.

Suitable solid carriers include natural and synthetic clays and silicates, for example natural silicas such as diatomaceous earths; magnesium silicates, for example talcs; magnesium aluminium silicates, for example attapulgites and vermiculites; aluminium silicates, for example kaolinites, montmorillonites and micas; calcium carbonate; calcium sulphate; ammonium sulphate; synthetic hydrated silicon oxides and synthetic calcium or aluminium silicates; elements, for example carbon and sulphur; natural and synthetic resins, for example coumarone resins, polyvinyl chloride, and styrene polymers and copolymers; solid polychlorophenols; bitumen; waxes; and solid fertilisers, for example superphosphates.

Suitable liquid carriers include water; alcohols, for example isopropanol and glycols; ketones, for example acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone and cyclohexanone; ethers; aromatic or araliphatic hydrocarbons, for example benzene, toluene and xylene; petroleum fractions, for example kerosine and light mineral oils; chlorinated hydrocarbons, for example carbon tetrachloride, perchloroethylene and trichloroethane. Mixtures of different liquids are often suitable.

Agricultural compositions are often formulated and transported in a concentrated form which is subsequently diluted by the user before application. The presence of small amounts of a carrier which is a surface-active agent facilitates this process of dilution. Thus preferably at least one carrier in a composition according to the invention is a surface-active agent. For example the composition may contain at least two carriers, at least one of which is a surface-active agent.

A surface-active agent may be an emulsifying agent, a dispersing agent or a wetting agent; it may be nonionic or ionic. Examples of suitable surface-active agents include the sodium or calcium salts of polyacrylic acids and lignin sulphonic acids; the condensation products of fatty acids or aliphatic amines or amides containing at least 12 carbon atoms in the molecule with ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide; fatty acid esters of glycerol, sorbitan, sucrose or pentaerythritol; condensates of these with ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide; condensation products of fatty alcohol or alkyl phenols, for example p-octylphenol or p-octylcresol, with ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide; sulphates or sulphonates of these condensation products; alkali or alkaline earth metal salts, preferably sodium salts, of sulphuric or sulphonic acid esters containing at least 10 carbon atoms in the molecule, for example sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium secondary alkyl sulphates, sodium salts of sulphonated castor oil, and sodium alkylaryl sulphonates such as dodecylbenzene sulphonate; and polymers of ethylene oxide and copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide.

The compositions of the invention may for example be formulated as wettable powders, dusts, granules, solutions, emulsifiable concentrates, emulsions, suspension concentrates and aerosols. Wettable powders usually contain 25, 50 or 75% w of active ingredient and usually contain in addition to solid inert carrier, 3-10% w of a dispersing agent and, where necessary, 0-10% w of stabiliser(s) and/or other additives such as penetrants or stickers. Dusts are usually formulated as a dust concentrate having a similar composition to that of a wettable powder but without a dispersant, and are diluted in the field with further solid carrier to give a composition usually containing 1/2-10% w of active ingredient. Granules are usually prepared to have a size between 10 and 100 BS mesh (1.676-0.152 mm), and may be manufactured by agglomeration or impregnation techniques. Generally, granules will contain 1/2-75% w active ingredient and 0-10% w of additives such as stabilisers, surfactants, slow release modifiers and binding agents. The so-called "dry-flowable powders" consist of relatively small granules having a relatively high concentration of active ingredient. Emulsifiable concentrates usually contain, in addition to a solvent and, when necessary, co-solvent, 10-50% w/v active ingredient, 2-20% w/v emulsifiers and 0-20% w/v of other additives such as stabilisers, penetrants and corrosion inhibitors. Suspension concentrates are usually compounded so as to obtain a stable, non-sedimenting flowable product and usually contain 10-75% w active ingredient, 0.5-15% w of dispersing agents, 0.1-10% w of suspending agents such as protective colloids and thixotropic agents, 0-10% w of other additives such as defoamers, corrosion inhibitors, stabilisers, penetrants and stickers, and water or an organic liquid in which the active ingredient is substantially insoluble; certain organic solids or inorganic salts may be present dissolved in the formulation to assist in preventing sedimentation or as anti-freeze agents for water.

Aqueous dispersions and emulsions, for example compositions obtained by diluting a wettable powder or a concentrate according to the invention with water, also lie within the scope of the invention. The said emulsions may be of the water-in-oil or of the oil-in-water type, and may have a thick `mayonnaise`-like consistency.

The composition of the invention may also contain other ingredients, for example other compounds possessing pesticidal, herbicidal, or fungicidal properties. The compounds of the invention are especially useful when applied in admixture with other insecticides, especially organophosphates and pyrethroids. Mixtures with the commercial products fenvalerate, permethrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin and alphamethrin are especially useful.

The following Examples illustrate the invention; Examples 1 to 77 illustrate the preparation of intermediates of general formula III, while Examples 78 to 155 illustrate the preparation of compounds of general formula I.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of 2-(2-fluorophenyl)-6-nitro-1,3-benzodioxan

An intimate mixture of 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl alcohol (4.56 g), 2-fluorobenzaldehyde (4.02 g) and benzoic acid (0.2 g) was stirred and heated to 90° C. (±5° C.) under nitrogen for 3% hours. The resulting clear reaction mixture was left to cool for two days whereupon it solidified. This material was dissolved in ethyl acetate (250 ml) and the solution was washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate, 20% aqueous sodium bisulphite and then with water. The organic phase was dried over sodium sulphate and evaporated to yield the crude product as a solid residue which was purified by suspending briefly in hot ethanol and cooling to 0°-5° C. The pure product was thus obtained as a white crystalline powder (5.3 g, 71%), mp 137°-138° C.

EXAMPLES 2 TO 17

By methods analogous to that of Example 1, further compounds of the general formula III were prepared by reaction of compounds of general formula VI with compounds of general formula VII. Details are given in Table I.

                  TABLE I                                                          ______________________________________                                          ##STR10##                                                                     Example No. (R).sub.a   mp °C.                                                                           Yield (%)                                     ______________________________________                                         2           2-Cl        154-155  69                                            3           4-Cl        186-187  57                                            4           2,4-Cl.sub.2                                                                               161-162  43                                            5           3,4-Cl.sub.2                                                                               148-149   65*                                          6           2,6-Cl.sub.2                                                                               140-141   54*                                          7           2-Cl-4-CF.sub.3                                                                            127-129   14*                                          8           2,4-F.sub.2 102-103  79                                            9           2-Br        149-150  78                                            10          4-CF.sub.3  116-117  40                                            11          2-CN        175-176   9                                            12          2-CH.sub.3  136-137  42                                            13          4-CH.sub.3  149-150  59                                            14          4-OCF.sub.3 92-94    50                                            15          2,3-Cl.sub.2                                                                               202-203  44                                            16          2-CF.sub.3  93-94    34                                            17          2-OCH.sub.3 159-160  36                                            ______________________________________                                          *used without further purificationyield estimated by nmr                 

EXAMPLE 18 Preparation of 2-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-6-nitro-1,3-benzoxathian

A solution of 2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-benzaldehyde (5.6 g) and 2-mercaptomethyl-4-nitrophenol (2.0 g) in toluene (80 ml) containing a catalytic amount of p-toluenesulphonic acid monohydrate was stirred at reflux temperature for 1 hour in an atmosphere of nitrogen. Water formed in the reaction was removed by means of a Dean-Stark trap. Removal of the solvent under reduced pressure afforded an off-white solid residue which was purified by suspending briefly in hot ethanol (30 ml) and cooling to 0°-5° C. The pure benzoxathian was obtained as colourless crystals (2.97 g, 73%), mp 121°-122° C.

EXAMPLES 19 TO 26

By methods analogous to that of Example 18, further compounds of the general formula II were prepared by reaction of compounds of general formula VI with compounds of general formula VII. Details are given in Table II.

                  TABLE II                                                         ______________________________________                                          ##STR11##                                                                     Example No.  (R).sub.a mp °C.                                                                           Yield (%)                                      ______________________________________                                         19           2-F       86-87    76                                             20           4-Cl      145-146  68                                             21           2,4-Cl.sub.2                                                                             97-98    60                                             22           2,6-Cl.sub.2                                                                             149-150  57                                             23           2,4-F.sub.2                                                                              101-102  54                                             24           2-Br      103-104  58                                             25           4-CH.sub.3                                                                               141-143  79                                             26           2-CF.sub.3                                                                               135-136  71                                             ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 27 Preparation of 6-bromo-2-(4-nitrophenyl)-1,3-benzodioxan

An intimately ground mixture of 5-bromo-2-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (4.06 g), 4-nitrobenzaldehyde (3.93 g) and benzoic acid (0.2 g) was stirred and heated to 85° C. (±5° C.) under nitrogen for 88 hours. The clear melt which formed initially gradually solidified throughout the reaction period. The resulting solidified mass was cooled and dissolved in ethyl acetate (250 ml). The solution was then washed with 20% aqueous sodium carbonate, 20% aqueous sodium bisulphite and finally with brine. After drying over sodium sulphate, the organic phase was evaporated to yield a solid residue which was purified by briefly suspending in hot ethanol (approx. 75 ml) and cooling to 0°-5° C. The pure product was obtained as pale buff-coloured crystals (4.69 g, 70%), mp 163°-164° C.

EXAMPLES 28 TO 30

By methods analogous to that of Example 27, further compounds of the general formula III were prepared by reaction of compounds of general formula VI with compounds of general formula VII. Details are given in Table III.

                  TABLE III                                                        ______________________________________                                          ##STR12##                                                                     Example No.  (R).sub.a mp °C.                                                                           Yield (%)                                      ______________________________________                                         28           6-CH.sub.3                                                                               140-141  22                                             29           6-Cl      144-145  51                                             30           6,8-Cl.sub.2                                                                             169-170  39                                             ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 31 Preparation of 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-methyl-6-nitro-1,3-benzoxathian

A solution of 2-mercaptomethyl-4-nitrophenol (1.0 g) and 4-chloroacetophenone (1.67 g) in toluene (80 ml) containing a catalytic amount of p-toluenesulphonic acid monohydrate (0.1 g) was stirred at reflux temperature for 70 hours in an atmosphere of nitrogen. Water formed in the reaction was removed by means of a Dean-Stark trap. Removal of the solvent under reduced pressure afforded an oily residue which was redissolved in ethyl acetate (200 ml). The solution was washed with 10% (w/v) aqueous sodium carbonate solution and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The resulting residual oil was subjected to flash chromatography on silica gel using methylene chloride as eluant. The crude benzoxathian was thus isolated as an oil which solidified upon trituration with cold ethanol (˜5 ml). This material was purified by stirring the suspension at 60° C. for 1 hour and allowing to cool to 0°-5° C. The pure product was obtained as yellow crystals (0.78 g, 45%), mp 163°-164° C.

EXAMPLES 32 TO 33

By a method analogous to that of Example 31, further compounds of the general formula II were prepared by reaction of a compound of general formula VI with a compound of general formula VI. Details are given in Table IV.

                  TABLE IV                                                         ______________________________________                                          ##STR13##                                                                     Example No.  (R).sub.a mp °C.                                                                          Yield (%)                                       ______________________________________                                         32           3,4-Cl.sub.2                                                                             resin   60*                                             33           2,4-F.sub.2                                                                              resin   99*                                             ______________________________________                                          *used without further purificationyield estimated by nmr                 

EXAMPLE 34 Preparation of 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-6-nitro,3,1-benzoxathian

A solution of 2-mercapto-5-nitrobenzyl alcohol (2.2 g) and 2,4-difluorobenzaldehyde (3.37 g) in toluene (80 ml) containing a catalytic amount of p-toluenesulphonic acid monohydrate (0.1 g) was heated under reflux for 2 hours in an atmosphere of nitrogen. Water formed in the reaction was removed by means of a Dean-Stark trap. After removal of the solvent under reduced pressure, the remaining residue was redissolved in ethyl acetate. This solution was then washed successively with 10% aqueous sodium carbonate, 10% aqueous sodium bisulphate and brine. After drying over anhydrous sodium sulphate, the solution was evaporated to yield the crude product as a yellow solid. Crystallisation from ethanol afforded the pure benzoxathian as yellow crystals (2.45 g, 67%), mp 119°-120° C.

EXAMPLES 35 TO 42

By methods analogous to that of Example 34, further compounds of the general formula II were prepared by reaction of compounds of general formula VI with compounds of general formula VII. Details are given in Table V.

                  TABLE V                                                          ______________________________________                                          ##STR14##                                                                     Example No. (R).sub.a   mp °C.                                                                           Yield (%)                                     ______________________________________                                         35          H           163-165   49*                                          36          4-Cl        149-150  48                                            37          2,4-Cl.sub.2                                                                               174-175  70                                            38          2,6-Cl.sub.2                                                                               215-216  41                                            39          2-Br        134-135  33                                            40          2-CH.sub.3  121-122  42                                            41          2-CF.sub.3  136-137  63                                            42          2-Cl-4-CF.sub.3                                                                            151-152  40                                            ______________________________________                                          *used without further purificationyield estimated by nmr                 

EXAMPLE 43 Preparation of 2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-methyl-6-nitro-3,1-benzoxathian

A solution of 2-mercaptomethyl-4-nitrophenol (1.78 g) and 3,4-dichloroacetophenone (3.83 g) in toluene (80 ml) containing a catalytic amount of p-toluenesulphonic acid monohydrate (0.1 g) was stirred at reflux temperature for 40 hours in an atmosphere of nitrogen. Water formed in the reaction was separated by means of a Dean-Stark trap. Upon cooling to room temperature, some tarry material separated. The supernatant liquor was decanted and washed successively with 10% (w/v) aqueous sodium carbonate solution and brine. After drying over anhydrous sodium sulphate, the solution was evaporated under reduced pressure to leave a mixture of the product and unreacted ketone. This material was subjected to flash chromatography on silica gel using methylene chloride as eluant, whereupon the benzoxathian was isolated as a yellow solid (1.3 g, >95% pure by nmr). Recrystallisation of 0.3 g of this material from ethanol afforded the pure product as yellow crystals (0.27 g), mp 118°-119° C.

EXAMPLES 44 TO 46

By methods analogous to that of Example 43, further compounds of the general formula II were prepared by reaction of compounds of general formula VI with compounds of general formula VII. Details are given in Table VI.

                  TABLE VI                                                         ______________________________________                                          ##STR15##                                                                     Example No.  (R).sub.a mp °C.                                                                           Yield (%)                                      ______________________________________                                         44           H         107-108  18                                             45           4-Cl      123-124  34                                             46           4-CF.sub.3                                                                               132-133  29                                             ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 47 Preparation of 2-(2-fluorophenyl)-5-nitro-1,3-benzodioxole

4-nitrocatechol (3.1 g) and 2-fluorobenzaldehyde (5.0 g) were heated under reflux for 18 hours in toluene (70 ml) containing a catalytic amount (0.2 g) of p-toluenesulphonic acid monohydrate. The water produced in the reaction was separated by means of a Dean-Stark apparatus. The reaction mixture was cooled and some solid material (unreacted catechol) filtered off, washing briefly with methylene chloride. The filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue purified by chromatography on silica gel using methylene chloride as eluant. The material thus obtained contained traces of aldehyde which were removed by dissolving in ether and shaking the solution successively with 20% aqueous soldium bisulphite solution, saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and finally with water. The resulting ether solution was dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate and evaporated to yield the pure benzodioxole as pale yellow crystals (4.1 g, 79%), mp 86°-88° C.

EXAMPLES 48 TO 57

By methods analogous to that of Example 47, further compounds of the general formula III were prepared by reaction of compounds of general formula VI with compounds of general formula VII. Details are given in Table VII.

                  TABLE VII                                                        ______________________________________                                          ##STR16##                                                                     Example No. (R).sub.a mp °C.                                                                           Yield (%)                                       ______________________________________                                         48          2-Cl      112-114  56                                              49          3-Cl      80-83    61                                              50          4-Cl       99-101   23*                                            51          2,6-Cl.sub.2                                                                             120-122  27                                              52          2,4-Cl.sub.2                                                                             resin    16                                              53          3,4-Cl.sub.2                                                                             89-91    59                                              54          2-Br      134-136  70                                              55          4-CH.sub.3                                                                               100-102  53                                              56          4-CF.sub.3                                                                               oil      31                                              57          2,4-F.sub.2                                                                              74-76    34                                              ______________________________________                                          *used without further purificationyield estimated by nmr                 

EXAMPLE 58 Preparation of 2-methyl-2-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-5-nitro-1,3-benzodioxole

(i) A solution of catechol (5.5 g) and 4-(trifluoromethyl)acetophenone (10.3 g) in toluene (150 ml) containing a catalytic amount (0.2 g) of p-toluenesulphonic acid monohydrate was heated under reflux for 3 days. Water produced in the condensation was separated by means of a Dean-Stark trap. After removal of the solvent under reduced pressure, the residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel using methylene chloride as eluant. Pure 2-methyl-2-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1,3-benzodioxole was obtained as a colourless oil (10.8 g, 77%).

(ii) A solution of 2-methyl-2-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1,3-benzodioxole (5.6 g) in dichloroethane (15 ml) was added over 10 minutes to vigorously stirred nitric acid (50% w/v, 25 ml) keeping the temperature at 15°-20° C. by means of a cooling bath. The resulting reaction mixture was stirred for a further 1 hour at 20° C., poured into water (200 ml) and extracted with methylene chloride (3×100 ml). After drying over anhydrous sodium sulphate, the extract was evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel using methylene chloride as eluant, affording the pure product benzodioxole as a pale yellow oil (5.3 g, 82%).

EXAMPLES 59 TO 62

By methods analogous to that of Example 58, further compounds of the general formula II were prepared by reaction of compounds of general formula VI with compounds of general formula VII. Details are given in Table VIII.

                  TABLE VIII                                                       ______________________________________                                          ##STR17##                                                                     Example No.                                                                              (R).sub.a                                                                              R           mp °C.                                                                        Yield (%)                                  ______________________________________                                         59        4-Cl    CH.sub.3    oil   83                                         60        3,4-Cl.sub.2                                                                           CH.sub.3    oil   81                                         61        2,4-F.sub.2                                                                            CH.sub.3    85-87 95                                         62        H       CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2 C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                          oil   37                                         ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 63 Preparation of 2-ethoxy-2-phenyl-5-nitro-1,3-benzodioxole

A solution of 4-nitrocatechol (3.1 g) and triethyl orthobenzoate (6.7 g) in dry toluene (40 ml) was heated under reflux for 21/2% hours. The solvent was then removed under reduced pressure and the resulting residue purified by chromatography on silica gel using methylene chloride as eluant. The pure benzodioxole was obtained as a pale yellow oil (3.8 g, 66%).

EXAMPLE 64 Preparation of 2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-nitro-1,3-benzoxathiole

2-Mercapto-4-nitrophenol (2.0 g) and 2,4-dichlorobenzaldehyde (2.0 g) were heated under reflux for 6 hours in toluene (70 ml) containing a catalytic amount (0.2 g) of p-toluenesulphonic acid monohydrate. Water formed in the reaction was separated by means of a Dean-Stark apparatus. The resulting reaction mixture was evaporated under reduced pressure, and the residue extracted with cyclohexane. The cyclohexane solution was then evaporated and the residue chromatographed on silica gel using methylene chloride/5% (v/v) methanol as eluant. The material obtained at this stage was contaminated with unreacted aldehyde. This was removed by stirring a methylene chloride solution of the crude product with 30% aqueous sodium bisulphite for 2 hours and then washing the solution successively with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and water. After drying over anhydrous sodium sulphate, the methylene chloride was removed under reduced pressure. Crystallisation of the residue afforded the pure product as pale yellow crystals (0.7 g, 21%), mp 106°-108° C.

EXAMPLES 65 TO 72

By methods analogous to that of Example 64, further compounds of the general formula II were prepared by reaction of compounds of general formula VI with compounds of general formula VII. Details are given in Table IX.

                  TABLE IX                                                         ______________________________________                                          ##STR18##                                                                     Example No. (R).sub.a  mp °C.                                                                           Yield (%)                                      ______________________________________                                         65          2-F         99-101  47                                             66          4-Cl       oil       58*                                           67          3,4-Cl.sub.2                                                                              112-114  40                                             68          2-Cl-4-CF.sub.3                                                                           oil       21*                                           69          2,4-F.sub.2                                                                               75-77    88                                             70          2-Br       163-165  51                                             71          4-CF.sub.3 oil       37*                                           72          2-CF.sub.3 oil       34*                                           ______________________________________                                          *used without further purificationyield estimated by nmr                 

EXAMPLE 73 Preparation of 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-methyl-5-nitro-1,3-benzoxathiole

A solution of 2-mercapto-4-nitrophenol (1.7 g) and 4-chloroacetophenone (3.1 g) in toluene (75 ml) containing a catalytic amount of p-toluenesulphonic acid monohydrate (0.2 g) was heated under reflux for 6 hours, removing water formed in the reaction by means of a Dean-Stark trap. The reaction mixture was evaporated under reduced pressure and the resulting residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel using methylene chloride as eluant. The pure benzoxathiole was obtained as pale yellow crystals (1.5 g, 49%), mp 87°-89° C.

EXAMPLES 74 TO 77

By methods analogous to that of Example 73, further compounds of the general formula II were prepared by reaction of compounds of general formula VI with compounds of general formula VII. Details are given in Table X.

                  TABLE X                                                          ______________________________________                                          ##STR19##                                                                     Example No.  (R).sub.a mp °C.                                                                          Yield (%)                                       ______________________________________                                         74           3,4-Cl.sub.2                                                                             oil     64*                                             75           2,4-Cl.sub.2                                                                             oil     21*                                             76           2,4-F.sub.2                                                                              oil     26*                                             77           4-CF.sub.3                                                                               oil     53*                                             ______________________________________                                          *used without further purificationyield estimated by nmr                 

Elemental analysis data for the intermediates of general formula III described above, where measured, is set out in Table XI below.

                  TABLE XI                                                         ______________________________________                                         Analysis (%)                                                                   Example C           H            N                                             No.     Calc.  Found    Calc. Found  Calc.                                                                               Found                                ______________________________________                                          1      61.1   60.9     3.7   3.6    5.1  5.0                                   2      57.7   57.3     3.5   3.4    4.8  4.6                                   3      57.7   57.8     3.5   3.6    4.8  5.0                                   4      51.6   51.6     2.8   3.0    4.3  4.9                                   8      57.4   56.6     3.1   3.2    4.8  4.6                                   9      50.0   50.0     3.0   2.9    4.2  3.9                                  10      55.4   55.8     3.1   3.2    4.3  4.5                                  11      63.8   63.8     3.6   3.5    9.9  9.8                                  12      66.4   65.5     4.8   4.6    5.2  5.0                                  13      66.4   66.5     4.8   4.9    5.2  5.1                                  14      52.8   53.2     3.0   3.2    4.1  4.6                                  15      51.6   51.6     2.8   3.0    4.0  4.9                                  16      55.4   55.9     3.1   3.3    4.3  4.6                                  17      62.7   62.9     4.6   4.5    4.9  5.0                                  18      48.0   47.5     2.4   2.6    3.7  3.7                                  19      57.7   58.3     3.5   3.7    4.8  4.9                                  20      54.6   54.3     3.3   3.3    4.6  4.6                                  21      49.1   49.1     2.7   2.8    4.1  4.1                                  22      49.1   48.9     2.7   2.7    4.1  4.0                                  23      54.4   54.7     2.9   3.0    4.5  4.6                                  24      47.7   47.2     2.9   3.0    4.0  3.9                                  25      62.7   62.3     4.6   4.5    4.9  4.9                                  26      52.8   52.2     3.0   3.1    4.1  3.9                                  27      50.0   49.8     3.0   3.0    4.2  4.4                                  28      66.4   66.4     4.8   5.1    5.2  5.2                                  29      57.7   57.2     3.5   3.6    4.8  5.2                                  30      51.6   51.6     2.8   2.6    4.3  4.4                                  31      56.0   56.3     3.8   4.0    4.4  4.3                                  34      54.4   54.8     2.9   3.3    4.5  4.7                                  36      54.6   54.6     3.3   3.5    4.6  4.6                                  37      49.1   49.3     2.7   3.0    4.1  4.2                                  38      49.1   49.5     2.7   2.8    4.0  4.3                                  39      47.7   48.0     2.9   3.0    4.0  4.0                                  40      62.7   62.3     4.6   4.5    4.9  4.9                                  41      52.8   52.8     3.0   3.1    4.1  4.2                                  42      48.0   48.4     2.4   2.7    3.7  3.9                                  43      50.6   50.4     3.1   3.4    3.9  4.1                                  44      62.7   62.2     4.6   4.5    4.9  4.8                                  45      56.0   55.9     3.8   3.8    4.4  4.3                                  46      54.1   53.8     3.4   3.5    3.9  3.9                                  47      59.8   59.4     3.1   3.4    5.4  5.6                                  48      56.2   56.5     2.9   3.4    5.0  5.3                                  49      56.2   56.3     2.9   2.9    5.0  5.0                                  51      50.0   49.6     2.2   2.0    4.5  4.1                                  52      50.0   50.1     2.2   2.5    4.5  4.7                                  53      50.0   49.8     2.2   2.9    4.5  5.0                                  54      48.4   48.2     2.5   2.3    4.3  4.2                                  55      65.4   65.3     4.3   4.6    5.4  5.6                                  56      54.0   54.2     2.6   2.8    4.5  4.2                                  57      55.9   56.2     2.5   2.6    5.0  5.1                                  58      55.4   55.7     3.1   3.3    4.3  4.5                                  59      57.6   57.5     3.4   3.6    5.0  4.8                                  60      51.5   51.4     2.8   2.9    4.3  4.3                                  61      57.3   57.8     3.1   3.3    4.8  4.8                                  62      62.0   61.9     4.6   4.6    4.0  4.1                                  63      62.7   63.3     4.5   4.6    4.9  4.8                                  64      47.6   47.9     2.1   2.6    4.3  4.7                                  65      56.3   56.8     2.9   2.2    5.1  5.0                                  67      47.6   47.4     2.1   2.3    4.3  4.4                                  69      52.9   52.7     2.4   2.7    4.7  4.6                                  70      46.1   45.9     2.4   2.3    4.1  4.1                                  73      54.6   54.9     3.3   3.4    4.6  4.5                                  ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 78 Preparation of 2,6-difluoro-N-[[[2-(2-fluorophenyl)-1,3-benzodioxan-6-yl]amino]carbonyl]benzamide

A suspension of 2-(2-fluorophenyl)-6-nitro-1,3-benzodioxan (2.0 g) in ethanol (250 ml) was hydrogenated at ≦60 psi hydrogen pressure in the presence of 5% platinum/charcoal (0.3 g) and anhydrous potassium carbonate (0.2 g) at ambient temperature. The resulting reaction mixture was filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure to afford the crude aniline derivative which was dried azeotropically by dissolving in toluene and evaporation under reduced pressure. The dried material was redissolved in dry toluene (20 ml) and treated with 2,6-difluorobenzoyl isocyanate (1.4 g), briefly brought to reflux temperature and left to cool overnight. After cooling to 0°-5° C., the precipitate of product was separated, washed with cold toluene followed by light petroleum and dried under reduced pressure at approx. 60° C. The pure product was thus obtained as a white microcrystalline powder (2.7 g, 87%), mp 203°-206° C.

EXAMPLES 79 TO 126

By methods analogous to that of Example 78, further compounds of the general formula I were prepared from intermediates of the general formula III. Details are given in Tables XII to XVI.

                  TABLE XII                                                        ______________________________________                                          ##STR20##                                                                     Example No. (R).sub.a  mp °C.                                                                           Yield (%)                                      ______________________________________                                         79          H          188-190  63                                             80          2-Cl       202-205  85                                             81          4-Cl       225-230  50                                             82          2,4-Cl.sub.2                                                                              214-215  50                                             83          3,4-Cl.sub.2                                                                              200-203  73                                             84          2,6-Cl.sub.2                                                                              203-204  68                                             85          2-Cl-4-CF.sub.3                                                                           219-220  43                                             86          2,4-F.sub.2                                                                               220-221  57                                             87          2-Br       208-210  79                                             88          4-CF.sub.3 235-236  64                                             89          2-CH.sub.3 198-200  42                                             90          4-CH.sub.3 209-211  67                                             91          4-OCF.sub.3                                                                               221-223  72                                             92          2,3-Cl.sub.2                                                                              221-222  64                                             93          2-CF.sub.3 201-202  55                                             94          2-OCH.sub.3                                                                               205-206  72                                             ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE XIII                                                       ______________________________________                                          ##STR21##                                                                     Example No. (R).sub.a  mp °C.                                                                           Yield (%)                                      ______________________________________                                          95         2-Cl-4-CF.sub.3                                                                           215-216  91                                              96         2-F        222-224  82                                              97         4-Cl       209-210  80                                              98         2,4-Cl.sub.2                                                                              217-218  81                                              99         2,6-Cl.sub.2                                                                              229-231  79                                             100         2,4-F.sub.2                                                                               228-229  80                                             101         2-Br       223-224  77                                             102         4-CH.sub.3 215-216  55                                             103         2-CF.sub.3 225-226  89                                             104         H          194-195  74                                             ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE XIV                                                        ______________________________________                                          ##STR22##                                                                     Example No.  (R).sub.a                                                                               mp °C.                                                                           Yield (%)                                       ______________________________________                                         105          4-Cl     201-202  66                                              106          3,4-Cl.sub.2                                                                            194-195  32                                              107          2,4-F.sub.2                                                                             161-163  79                                              ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE XV                                                         ______________________________________                                          ##STR23##                                                                     Example No. (R).sub.a   mp °C.                                                                           Yield (%)                                     ______________________________________                                         108         2,4-F.sub.2 242-244  79                                            109         H           221-222  78                                            110         4-Cl        231-233  79                                            111         2,4-Cl.sub.2                                                                               222-224  55                                            112         2-CF.sub.3  213-215  25                                            113         2,6-Cl.sub.2                                                                               225-226  32                                            114         2-Cl-4-CF.sub.3                                                                            210-211  66                                            115         2-Br        215-216  71                                            116         2-CH.sub.3  205-206  75                                            ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE XVI                                                        ______________________________________                                          ##STR24##                                                                     Example No.  (R).sub.a                                                                               mp °C.                                                                           Yield (%)                                       ______________________________________                                         117          H        203-205  61                                              118          4-Cl     237-238  85                                              119          3,4-Cl.sub.2                                                                            224-225  66                                              120          4-CF.sub.3                                                                              243-244  47                                              ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 121 Preparation of N-[[[4-(6-bromo-1,3-benzodioxan-2-yl)phenyl]amino]carbonyl]-2,6,-difluorobenzamide

A suspension of 6-bromo-2-(4-nitrophenyl)-1,3-benzodioxan (2.05 g) in toluene (150 ml) was hydrogenated at ≦60 psi hydrogen pressure in the presence of 5% platinum/charcoal (0.5 g) and anhydrous potassium carbonate (0.5 g) at ambient temperature. The reaction mixture was filtered and evaporated under reduced pressure, azeotropically removing the water formed in the reaction. The resulting crude aniline derivative was redissolved in dry toluene (25 ml) and treated with 2,6-difluorobenzoyl isocyanate (1.2 g), warming briefly to approx. 60° C. then allowing the stirred reaction mixture to cool overnight. Cooling to 0°-5° C. afforded a precipitate of impure product which was purified by crystallisation from ethanol (0.52 g, 17%), mp 194°-195° C.

EXAMPLES 122 TO 123

By methods analogous to that of Example 121, further compounds of the general formula I were prepared from intermediates of the general formula III. Details are given in Table XVII.

                  TABLE XVII                                                       ______________________________________                                          ##STR25##                                                                     Example No.  (R).sub.a                                                                               mp °C.                                                                           Yield (%)                                       ______________________________________                                         122          6-CH.sub.3                                                                              185-186  32                                              123          6-Cl     185-186  14                                              ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 124 Preparation of 2,6-difluoro-N-[[[2-(2-fluorophenyl)-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl]amino]carbonyl]benzamide

A solution of 2-(2-fluorophenyl)-5-nitro-1,3benzodioxole (2.6 g) in ethanol (150 ml) was hydrogenated at ≦60 psi hydrogen pressure in the presence of 5% platinum/charcoal (0.2 g) and anhydrous potassium carbonate (0.2 g) at ambient temperature. The resulting reaction mixture was filtered through `Hiflo supercel` (BDH) and the filtrate evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was dried azeotropically by redissolving in toluene (120 ml) and evaporating under reduced pressure. The crude aniline thus obtained was redissolved in dry toluene (30 ml) and treated with 2,6-difluorobenzoyl isocyanate (2.0 g) at reflux temperature for 1 hour. The acylurea crystallised out on cooling and was filtered off, washing with cold toluene. This material was further purified by chromatography on silica gel, eluting with methylene chloride containing 5% (v/v) methanol. Additional product was recovered from the toluene filtrate by chromatography using the same system. The pure acylurea was obtained as colourless crystals (total yield 3.2 g, 77%), mp 189°-192° C.

EXAMPLES 125 TO 141

By methods analogous to that of Example 124, further compounds of the general formula I were prepared from intermediates of the general formula III. Details are given in Table XVIII.

                  TABLE XVIII                                                      ______________________________________                                          ##STR26##                                                                     Example No.                                                                             (R).sub.a                                                                               R           mp °C.                                                                         Yield (%)                                 ______________________________________                                         125      H        H           198-200                                                                               88                                        126      2-Cl     H           234-236                                                                               71                                        127      3-Cl     H           200-201                                                                               68                                        128      4-Cl     H           207-209                                                                               54                                        129      2,6-Cl.sub.2                                                                            H           240-243                                                                               67                                        130      2,4-Cl.sub.2                                                                            H           211-212                                                                               47                                        131      3,4-Cl.sub.2                                                                            H           228-230                                                                               62                                        132      2-Br     H           225-228                                                                               55                                        133      4-CH.sub.3                                                                              H           171-173                                                                               77                                        134      4-CF.sub.3                                                                              H           191-193                                                                               78                                        135      2,4-F.sub.2                                                                             H           202-203                                                                               56                                        136      4-CF.sub.3                                                                              CH.sub.3    156-157                                                                               61                                        137      4-Cl     CH.sub.3    102-104                                                                               81                                        138      3,4-Cl.sub.2                                                                            CH.sub.3    155-156                                                                               61                                        139      2,4-F.sub.2                                                                             CH.sub.3    138-140                                                                               85                                        140      H        CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2 C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                          121-122                                                                               73                                        141      H        OC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                           237-239                                                                               61                                        ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 142 Preparation of N-[[[2-(2,4,dichlorophenyl)-1,3-benzoxathiol-5-yl]amino]carbonyl]-2,6-difluorobenzamide

A solution of 2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-nitro-1,3-benzoxathiole (0.7 g) in ethanol (100 ml) was hydrogenated at ≦60 psi hydrogen pressure in the presence of 5% platinum/charcoal (0.2 g) and anhydrous potassium carbonate (0.2 g). The resulting reaction mixture was filtered through `Hiflo supercel` (BDH) and evaporated under reduced pressure. Traces of ethanol and water were removed by redissolving the residue in toluene and evaporating under reduced pressure. The crude aniline thus obtained was then dissolved in dry toluene (70 ml) and treated with 2,6-difluorobenzoyl isocyanate (0.4 g) at reflux temperature for 45 minutes. The product was isolated by removing the solvent under reduced pressure and purifying the residue by chromatography on silica gel using methylene chloride/5% (v/v) methanol as eluant. The pure acylurea was obtained as colourless crystals (0.3 g, 31%), mp 206°-208° C.

EXAMPLES 143 TO 155

By methods analogous to that of Example 142, further compounds of the general formula I were prepared from intermediates of the general formula III. Details are given in Table XIX.

                  TABLE XIX                                                        ______________________________________                                          ##STR27##                                                                     Example No.                                                                              (R).sub.a  R       mp °C.                                                                         Yield (%)                                  ______________________________________                                         143       2-F        H       204-206                                                                               86                                         144       4-Cl       H       196-198                                                                               27                                         145       3,4-Cl.sub.2                                                                              H       219-221                                                                               57                                         146       2-Cl-4-CF.sub.3                                                                           H       168-170                                                                               36                                         147       2,4-F.sub.2                                                                               H       209-211                                                                               71                                         148       2-Br       H       180-181                                                                               46                                         149       4-CF.sub.3 H       235-237                                                                               31                                         150       2-CF.sub.3 H       166-168                                                                               49                                         151       4-Cl       CH.sub.3                                                                               130-132                                                                               84                                         152       3,4-Cl.sub.2                                                                              CH.sub.3                                                                               180-182                                                                               45                                         153       4-CF.sub.3 CH.sub.3                                                                               173-175                                                                               45                                         154       2,4-Cl.sub.2                                                                              CH.sub.3                                                                               203-205                                                                               51                                         155       2,4-F.sub.2                                                                               CH.sub.3                                                                               207-209                                                                               43                                         ______________________________________                                    

Elemental analysis data for the compounds of general formula I described above is set out in Table XX below.

                  TABLE XX                                                         ______________________________________                                                Analysis (%)                                                                   C         H           N                                                 Example No.                                                                             Calc.   Found   Calc. Found Calc. Found                               ______________________________________                                         78       61.7    60.2    3.5   3.3   6.5   6.3                                 79       64.4    64.2    3.9   4.1   6.8   7.1                                 80       59.4    60.5    3.4   3.5   6.3   5.8                                 81       59.4    59.2    3.4   3.4   6.3   6.2                                 82       55.1    55.3    2.9   3.3   5.8   6.2                                 83       55.1    55.0    2.9   3.2   5.8   5.7                                 84       55.1    55.4    2.9   2.7   5.8   5.3                                 85       53.9    53.7    2.7   2.8   5.5   5.8                                 86       59.2    60.0    3.2   2.9   6.3   7.5                                 87       54.0    53.0    3.1   3.1   5.7   6.6                                 88       57.7    56.9    3.2   3.4   5.9   6.2                                 89       65.1    65.1    4.3   4.5   6.6   7.4                                 90       65.1    62.9    4.3   4.4   6.6   6.6                                 91       55.9    56.8    3.1   3.1   5.7   5.6                                 92       55.1    55.2    2.9   3.0   5.9   6.1                                 93       57.8    58.0    3.2   3.5   5.9   6.0                                 94       62.7    62.8    4.1   4.3   6.4   6.4                                 95       52.2    52.3    2.7   3.0   5.3   5.2                                 96       59.5    59.5    3.4   3.6   6.3   6.4                                 97       57.3    57.1    3.3   3.5   6.1   6.0                                 98       53.4    53.3    2.9   3.1   5.7   5.6                                 99       53.4    53.3    2.9   3.0   5.7   5.7                                 100      57.1    56.8    3.1   3.4   6.1   6.0                                 101      52.3    52.3    3.0   3.2   5.5   5.7                                 102      62.7    62.7    4.1   4.3   6.4   6.4                                 103      55.9    56.1    3.1   3.2   5.7   5.6                                 104      62.0    61.8    3.8   3.8   6.6   6.6                                 105      58.2    58.1    3.6   3.9   5.9   5.8                                 106      54.2    54.4    3.2   3.3   5.5   5.6                                 107      58.0    57.9    3.4   3.6   5.9   5.9                                 108      57.1    56.9    3.1   3.3   6.1   6.0                                 109      62.0    62.2    3.8   3.9   6.6   6.6                                 110      57.3    57.3    3.3   3.4   6.1   6.0                                 111      53.4    53.4    2.9   3.1   5.7   5.3                                 112      55.9    55.7    3.1   3.3   5.8   5.6                                 113      53.4    53.4    2.9   3.0   5.7   5.7                                 114      52.2    52.1    2.7   2.8   5.3   5.3                                 115      52.3    52.4    3.0   3.0   5.3   5.6                                 116      62.7    62.6    4.1   4.1   6.4   6.4                                 117      62.7    62.7    4.1   4.1   6.4   6.4                                 118      58.2    58.5    3.6   3.5   5.9   5.9                                 119      54.2    54.4    3.7   3.4   5.5   5.4                                 120      56.7    56.9    3.4   3.5   5.5   5.5                                 121      54.0    55.4    3.1   3.2   5.7   5.7                                 122      65.1    65.2    4.3   4.3   6.6   6.7                                 123      59.4    59.8    3.4   3.8   6.3   6.2                                 124      60.9    61.1    3.1   3.0   6.8   7.0                                 125      63.6    63.4    3.5   3.7   7.1   7.2                                 126      58.5    57.7    3.0   3.4   6.5   6.7                                 127      58.5    58.4    3.0   3.1   6.5   6.4                                 128      58.5    58.5    3.0   3.4   6.5   6.9                                 129      54.2    53.9    2.6   2.5   6.0   6.0                                 130      54.2    54.5    2.6   2.8   6.0   6.1                                 131      54.2    54.8    2.6   3.0   6.0   6.2                                 132      53.1    52.9    2.7   2.8   5.9   5.8                                 133      64.4    64.3    3.9   3.9   6.8   6.7                                 134      56.9    56.9    2.8   2.6   6.0   5.8                                 135      58.4    58.9    2.8   3.1   6.5   6.5                                 136      57.7    57.9    3.1   3.5   5.9   5.8                                 137      59.4    59.2    3.4   3.6   6.3   6.2                                 138      55.1    55.6    2.9   3.1   5.9   5.9                                 139      59.8    60.1    3.1   3.6   6.3   6.3                                 140      62.2    61.9    4.1   4.4   5.8   5.8                                 141      62.7    62.9    4.1   4.1   6.4   6.3                                 142      52.4    52.1    2.5   2.7   5.8   5.6                                 143      58.6    58.5    3.0   3.3   6.5   6.4                                 144      56.4    56.1    2.9   3.2   6.3   6.1                                 145      52.5    53.0    2.5   2.9   5.8   5.6                                 146      51.3    51.5    2.3   2.5   5.5   5.5                                 147      56.3    55.9    2.7   3.1   6.2   6.1                                 148      51.3    51.0    2.7   2.7   5.7   5.6                                 149      55.0    54.5    2.7   3.0   5.8   5.8                                 150      55.0    54.6    2.7   2.9   5.8   5.8                                 151      57.3    56.8    3.3   3.7   6.1   5.8                                 152      53.3    53.5    2.8   3.0   5.7   5.7                                 153      55.9    55.7    3.0   3.2   5.7   5.6                                 154      53.3    53.6    2.8   3.1   5.7   5.4                                 155      57.1    57.4    3.0   3.0   6.1   6.1                                 ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 156 Insecticidal Activity

Insecticidal activity of compounds of general formula I was assessed against the following pests:

Spodoptera littoralis (Egyptian cotton leafworm)

Aedes aegypti (yellow fever mosquito)

Trialeurodes vaporariorum (greenhouse whitefly)

The test methods employed for each species appear below. In each test, unless otherwise stated, solutions or suspensions of test compound were made up over a range of concentrations in water (initially 0.1% w) containing 10% w acetone and 0.025% w "TRITON X-100" (trade mark) surface active agent (the condensation product of ethylene oxide with an alkyl phenol). These solutions were sprayed at a rate equivalent to 340 liters per hectare (3.4×10⁻⁵ m³ /m²) onto Petri dishes containing either test species per se or diet onto which test species were subsequently introduced, as indicated. In some assays leaf discs infested with test species were sprayed whilst other assays involved the spraying of plants which were infested subsequently with test species after the spray solution had dried. The tests were all conducted under normal insectary conditions (23° C.±2° C., fluctuating humidity and light).

Mortality assessments were made as indicated below, in terms of percentage mortality figures. In each test a LC₅₀ (the dosage of active material required to kill half of the test species) for the compound was calculated from the mortality figures and compared with the corresponding LC₅₀ for a standard insecticide, ethyl parathion, in the same test. The results are expressed as toxicity indices thus: ##EQU1##

(i) Spodoptera littoralis (7 day) (Sl 7D)

Test solutions were sprayed as indicated above onto Petri dishes containing a nutritious diet for Egyptian cotton leafworm larvae. When the spray deposit had dried, each dish was infested with ten 2nd instar larvae. Mortality assessments were made 7 days after spraying.

(ii) Aedes aegypti (Aa)

Early 4th instar larvae were used, Test solutions were made up to 0.5 ppm of test compound (and progressive half-dilutions) in water containing 0.04% w "TRITON X-100" (trade mark); acetone was initially present to aid solution, but was allowed to evaporate off before introduction of larvae. Ten early 4th instar larvae were placed in 100 ml of test solution held at 28° C., and after 48 hours, larval mortality was recorded. The final mortality was assessed by counting the number of emerged adult mosquitoes after one week.

(iii) Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Tv)

French bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris) with two fully expanded leaves were placed in a breeding culture of T. vaporariorum, also on French bean plants, which were then disturbed to ensure resettlement on the introduced plants. During the subsequent 24 hour period, eggs were deposited and kept at 27° C., with 14 hours photoperiod. All adult whiteflies were then carefully removed, leaving egg samples of a known age. After eight days the majority of eggs had hatched. Leaf discs containing the newly hatched nymphs were then cut from the leaves and transferred to moist filter paper. The discs were examined under a low-powered microscope to determine the exact number of 1st instar nymphs per disc and to remove any unhatched eggs. On average, 70-100 nymphs were found per disc. The discs were transferred into Petri dishes and sprayed with test solutions as described above. After 6 days percentage mortalities were assessed.

                  TABLE XXI                                                        ______________________________________                                         Insecticidal Activity                                                                           Toxicity Index                                                Compound of Example No.                                                                           S.l.    A.a.    T.v.                                        ______________________________________                                         78                 550     890     230                                         79                 1100    2       4000                                        80                 30      450     B                                           81                 1200    900     B                                           82                 1000    620     2800                                        83                 530             B                                           84                 420     180     B                                           85                 1400    210                                                 86                 2100    300     560                                         87                 150     1200    B                                           88                 560     71      B                                           89                 26      890     320                                         90                 680     3       130                                         91                 570     80      B                                           92                 80      212                                                 93                 4200    268     3300                                        94                 18      3                                                   95                 220     46      1800                                        96                 300     170     B                                           97                 190     13                                                  98                 410     57      B                                           99                 60      46      B                                           100                280     120     B                                           101                60      90      570                                         102                35      23      B                                           103                320     41      B                                           104                100     31      B                                           105                150     5       160                                         106                490     14                                                  108                A                                                           109                320     140                                                 110                34      58                                                  111                210     190                                                 112                160     230     B                                           113                A       A       B                                           114                310     A                                                   115                32      A       A                                           116                180     150     B                                           121                49      130                                                 122                17                                                          123                130     21                                                  124                100     150     1000                                        125                310     120     B                                           126                94      540     B                                           127                450     240     B                                           128                1800    630     B                                           129                17                                                          130                3370    790     1530                                        131                3000    190                                                 132                90      490                                                 133                        19                                                  134                3500    130                                                 135                790     620     B                                           136                18000   1300    2300                                        137                5700    1100    3200                                        138                12000   1200    1700                                        139                6000    17      1200                                        140                130     9       B                                           141                1700    280                                                 142                1000    200     2600                                        143                110     120     B                                           144                460     18      330                                         145                600     18                                                  146                1500    330     30                                          147                200     83      2100                                        148                420     400     1400                                        149                420     23                                                  150                360     1300    9                                           151                430     53      500                                         152                1200    43      B                                           153                700             2500                                        154                1100    190                                                 155                400     170                                                 ______________________________________                                    

Grades A and B indicate mortalities of 70-100% and 40-69%, respectively, at the initial test concentration of 0.1% w. (1000 ppm).

EXAMPLE 157 Acaricidal Activity (mite life cycle)

Acaricidal activity of some compounds of formula I was assessed, employing adult female glasshouse red spider mites, Tetranychus urticae (T.u.), by the following procedure.

2 cm diameter leaf discs cut from the leaves of French bean plants were placed, underside uppermost, on 5.5 cm diameter filter papers, kept moist by a cotton wool wick dipped in water.

Each leaf disc was infested with 25 to 30 adult female mites which were removed after 6 hours, leaving about 50 eggs on each disc. Within 5 days the eggs hatched. The freshly emerged larvae on the leaf discs were sprayed with solutions of test compound made up as in Example 156 above, at a rate equivalent to 340 liters per hectare (3.4×10⁻⁵ m³ /m²).

The discs were thereafter kept under normal laboratory conditions (23° C.±2° C., fluctuating humidity and 16 hours day length). After 7 days assessment was made of the number of mites emerging as adults.

From the results the LC₅₀ was calculated, as given in Table XXII below.

                  TABLE XXII                                                       ______________________________________                                         Acaricidal Activity                                                                              LC.sub.50 (% active                                          Compound of Example No.                                                                          ingredient in spray)                                         ______________________________________                                         82                0.00023                                                      84                0.00036                                                      85                0.00031                                                      87                0.0029                                                       92                0.085                                                        93                0.00022                                                      134               0.09                                                         142               0.0015                                                       145               0.053                                                        147               0.05                                                         ______________________________________                                     

We claim:
 1. A compound of the formula: ##STR28## wherein R₁ and R₂ each independently represents a halogen atom or an alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkenoxy, cyano or nitro group; R₃ and R₄ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; R₅ represents a hydrogen atom, or an alkyl, alkoxy or alkoxycarbonylalkyl group; X and Y each independently represents an oxygen atom or a group N--R, in which R is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; n is 0-3; r is 0; m is 0-4; and A or B represents a group of the formula: ##STR29## wherein R₆ represents a hydrogen or halogen atom, or an alkyl group; and R₇ represents a halogen atom or an alkyl group; the other of A and B being a hydrogen atom or as for R₁ or R₂.
 2. A compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein any alkenoxy group, any alkyl group or any alkyl component in any alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy or alkoxycarbonyl group has up to 6 carbon atoms.
 3. A compound as claimed in claim 2 wherein R₂ represents a halogen atom, or an alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy or alkenoxy group; R₃ and R₄ each represents a hydrogen atom; X and Y each independently represents an oxygen atom; n is 0; r is 0 ; m is 0-2; A represents a group of the formula II in which R₆ and R₇ each represents a halogen atom; and B represents a hydrogen or halogen atom or an alkyl, haloalkyl or haloalkoxy group.
 4. A compound as claimed in claim 2 wherein R₃, R₄ and R₅ each represents a hydrogen atom; X and Y each represents an oxygen atom; n is 0; r is 0; m is 0; B represents a group of the formula II in which R₆ and R₇ each represents a halogen atom; and A represents a halogen atom or an alkyl group.
 5. A compound as claimed in claim 3 wherein R₂ represents a fluorine, chlorine or bromine atom, or a methyl, trifluoromethyl or methoxy group; R₆ and R₇ each represents a fluorine atom; and B represents a hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine atom or a methyl, trifluoromethyl or trifluoromethoxy group.
 6. A compound as claimed in claim 4 wherein R₆ and R₇ each represents a fluorine atom; and A represents a chlorine or bromine atom or a methyl group.
 7. An insecticidal or acaricidal composition comprising a compound as claimed in claim 1 together with a carrier.
 8. A method of combating insects or acarids at a locus, which comprises applying to the locus an effective amount of a composition as claimed in claim
 7. 9. A composition as claimed in claim 7, which comprises at least two carriers, at least one of which is a surface-active agent.
 10. A method of combating insects or acarids at a locus, which comprises applying to the locus an effective amount of a compound as claimed in claim
 1. 